Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchases a set of new Michelin Defender LTX M/S LT265/75R16 (123/120R) tires for my 1999 Chevrolet Suburban K2500 in June 2023 and I am attempting to register the tires with Michelin. None of the tires have a date code on them. The DOT code of these tires is 1M3 4N 00KX, there is NO date code on any of the four (4) tires.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with cornell 1000 tires, size: p235/75r15. While driving 55 MPH, the front end of the vehicle shook severely, especially when traveling up to 65 MPH. The contact also stated that the two front wheels wobbled, which were moved to the rear of the vehicle after a tire rotation. The contact also stated that all four tire sidewalls were worn. The tires were not replaced. The contact stated that the failure could be due to the compound or the belt rubber and referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17t019000 (tires). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 194,000 and the tire failure mileage was 5,000.
I purchased the used vehicle from glendale car connection at on 8/28/03. I noticed on the day of purchase it seemed hard to steer the vehicle so I mentioned it to the sales person as well as the office manager. It was scheduled to be repaired. I drove the vechicle home that night I begin to notice a hard turn made the vehicle make a noise I too the vehicle back to glendale car connection were the mechanic told me the power steering pump was going out and he change it I also asked about the brakes squealing and he said the vehicle needed brake fluid which he put in. I took the vehicle home and begin to drive it I noticed it was getting hard to turn and it would swerve while driving it, I contacted the dealer again. …
While driving at 60 MPH, the tread separated from the lf tire. Vehicle sustained damage to wheel well, rocker panel, front fender and side view mirror. The tread separation appears to be between the two steel belts. The tire pressure was checked and was within the manufacturer specification. Just prior to the tread separation, the driver experienced a vibration in the steering wheel. () fsb (8/11/05 follow up call): on 6/4/05, the owner experienced a 2nd tread separation without warning involving the lr tire at 65 MPH. As in first incident, the owner was able to maintain control of the vehicle. Owner has replaced all tires and has failed tires in possession. Owner was advised by technician that remaining tires would have also failed.
1) I was driving home, on a 2 lane highway at approximately 45 miles per hour in steady traffic on a flat straight road. 2) my Michelin xw4 p235/75r15 tire had complete tread seperation, causing me to swerve all over the road. The tread ripped off, and in the process "slung" around in a circle leaving scratches and tire rubber in a semi-circle on the side of my vehicle and put a large dent in the rear quarter panel. 3) the tire is still on the spare rim and is still inflated (holding air fine) I put new tires all around. (not michelins)
We were traveling on i10 west bound on fairly good pavement at 70mph and the rear drivers side wheel broke off. Resulting in a crash. We had no work done to the wheels since the car was delivered from the dealer. We had no indiction that a problem existed until the failure. Two lug s:bolts broke and the remaining four were striped and bent. I am trying to find if the lugs: bolts on the other wheels can be tested for fractures and determine a cause of the accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban with Firestone steel tex radial tires, lt245/75616,dot number:v611b1a198. The contact stated that the spare tire suddenly exploded, which was attached directly behind the rear passenger seating. The explosion caused the rear window to shatter. There were no passengers in the vehicle at the time of the explosion. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with Firestone steel tex a/t; tires, size lt245/75/r16, dot number: w2tv2f33600. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the rear driver side tire tread separated, causing the tire to explode. The contact replaced the tire and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 101,216 and the current mileage was 117,200.
Complete tire separation @ 65 MPH, $3200.00 body damage to Suburban, other three tires were the same. Replaced all four tires, even though the other tires looked new. I have destroyed the tire and the other tree tires in my garage. My wife and two young children were very lucky. Anything that I can be of help please contact me...thank you john. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**770810
The tread of right rear Firestone tire (lt245/75r) separated resulting in a blowout, the blowout caused the car to swerve and as a result the trailer they were pulling began to fishtail, the car and trailer left the highway and traveled down an embankment where they overturned. Nlm( dot number: tire size: lt24575r16 )
NHTSA investigations
Steel wheel rim fracture
There have been less than 2 complaints per 100,000 subject vehicles related to the alleged defect.the oldest vehicles (my 1999) have only 2 complaints in over 140 thousand vehicles after over 4 years in service.the rate of warranty claims potentially related to the alleged defect is less than 0.1%.there are no known incidents involving rapid loss of tire pressure or loss of vehicle control.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 96 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, 15% of the model year's 634 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (45 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chevrolet Suburban wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Chevrolet Suburban wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to wheels & tires problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.